EDITOR'S COMMENT
Regional governments across Spain have been responsible for some of the most radical legislative strategies affecting short-term rentals this year, but each could be accused of bowing to public and political pressure when enforcing the most stringent restrictions. However, now that Spain's central government has issued a royal decree to establish a single national register for STR properties in January, there is hope that more standardised regulation can be introduced to crack down on illegal renting.
Up until now, city authorities across the country have announced their own distinct regulatory policies with varying degrees of severity, from Madrid to Malaga, Seville, Valencia and perhaps most notably Barcelona, where mayor Jaume Collboni has pledged to ban all short-term rentals for tourists by late 2028. This has ultimately created confusion and vilified the STR sector as the principal contributing factor to 'over-tourism' for residents already protesting against a housing shortage, unemployment levels, and the cost of living crisis.
Under the Spanish Constitution of 1978, each of Spain's 17 autonomous communities can implement basic and state legislation at a regional level, which includes matters related to planning, urbanism and housing. The national register that is set to be imposed by the central government would therefore provide a standardised framework for property owners in Spain, in line with the incoming European directive, whereby properties will be obliged to register with one central digital service and obtain a code to list on Airbnb and Booking etc.
Housing minister Isabel Rodriguez is yet to disclose much about the new register. Nevertheless, she will be under pressure to regulate a sector which has faced so much global scrutiny for its impact on housing supply, and balance that with the needs of accommodation providers who want to operate legally and responsibly. Other EU nations will also soon have their own national registers or licensing schemes, but they do not have to be overly restrictive to ensure a sustainable future for short-term rentals and tourism.
• Over-tourism is one of the hot topics being addressed at the upcoming STRz Summit in London - now just eight days away! We have lined up another incredible list of expert speakers to participate across a range of session formats, from panels to presentations, debates and our first-ever 'Startup X-Ray'. Buy your tickets here for the Summit before it's too late, and make the most of your time in the capital ahead of Scale UK and World Travel Market. See you on 5 November!
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